POWERLESSNESS:2 2022

This artwork, by Thomas Riesner, seems to be made with simple techniques of painting and drawing, such as dripping and splattering. The painting has an immediate, raw quality. Looking closely, you can see that Riesner has worked rapidly, allowing the inherent qualities of the fluid paint to express themselves. This isn't about careful control but rather about letting the materials speak. Notice how the pigments pool and bleed, creating depth and texture. The artist seems to be engaging with the act of mark-making itself, building up layers of color and form. It’s interesting to consider the amount of time involved, or not involved, in the process. This brings the work closer to spontaneous expression, and further from traditional fine art where meticulous labor is a sign of value. With its almost frantic application of paint, the piece challenges those distinctions, asserting that immediacy can also carry great impact.